The Climbing Wall Association's blog is a place for indoor climbing professionals to find useful and relevant information from industry and business experts. Stay on top of best practices, thought leadership, and trends by subscribing to our newsletter!
There’s something special about being able to work with people face-to-face every day. Since the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe and changed our collective experience with in-person work has become different. Very different. So different that some were even called heroes by simply going... Continue Reading
When it comes to choosing products to carry in your indoor climbing gym, you want to make sure you carry items that fit your culture. Whether you are opening a new location or trying to spruce up your facility, you can bring in new vendors, items, and merchandise to increase revenue and add some... Continue Reading
Is it possible to have a career working at an indoor climbing gym? This is a very hot topic in the industry these days. The simple answer is “yes, but…” Yes, there are specific positions within an indoor climbing gym that can be considered a career for many. But for most,... Continue Reading
As a young woman, I was an outdoor recreation enthusiast. Climbing, canoeing, hiking, camping, and skiing were all my favorite activities. I was fortunate to have access to guides to take me and my schoolmates out on these adventures. Article At A Glance Writer: Heather... Continue Reading
Working the front desk can be a fun, temporary job with perks like free memberships, pro-deals, and in-house instruction and classes, but it can also be the first step toward being a professional in the indoor climbing industry. Article At A Glance Writer: Jess Malloy, head coach at... Continue Reading
In the previous two articles, we explored how routesetters and coaches can collaborate to enhance athlete development and the overall gym experience. This final story will dive deeper into actionable steps both parties can take to foster a strong, ongoing partnership, addressing the final hurdles... Continue Reading
Please join the CWA in welcoming Foxman McCarthy-James as our new Routesetting Education Consultant. Foxman joins Heather Reynolds as they continue to innovate and revolutionize the CWA's Certification offerings. Foxman started her education journey musically, as a professional violist. Not... Continue Reading
The Monument Sports Group (MSG), the Climbing Wall Association’s insurance partner of more than a decade, is thrilled to announce its acquisition by DOXA Insurance Holdings, LLC, an award-winning specialty insurance platform known for its expertise in niche markets. This strategic... Continue Reading
Professional development is key in maintaining and attracting quality talent in any workplace. Many small indoor climbing gyms may struggle with integrating this into budgeting and schedules. This can even occur with larger gyms, too. One of the struggles in our industry is that with its rapid... Continue Reading
Sponsored Content Brought to You by Vortex Routesetting Do you work in a climbing gym? Do you want to help inform the decisions of routesetting departments nationwide? Vortex Routesetting has relaunched our Routesetting Industry Data Survey, and we are now in the final stretch before... Continue Reading
Turnover rates in any service industry are relatively high. One saving grace for indoor climbing gyms is that your employees are likely passionate individuals who truly care about climbing and want to make a positive impact. However, this also means staff may tolerate working conditions that are... Continue Reading
At the 2025 CWA Summit, we’re debuting a new concept: the Community Hub Sessions on Friday morning. These sessions are not like other Education Sessions. They are developed by people like you. And not just the universal you, but you, the person reading this. (In media, this is called... Continue Reading
